 Julie L. Curiel |
Suggestions for Professional Photo Labs I am needing suggestions for a photo lab that has the ability to print from a digital file onto quality papers (i.e. specialty papers, texturing, mounting on art board etc). Currently I don't do my own printing and until I puchase my own high quality printer and figure out what papers to use, I need something to tide me over. WalMart does a good job but just doesn't cut it for wanting to do more professional sales. Thank you for you suggestions!
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Kerry Drager |
Hi Julie: An excellent question! Here are some general guidelines for finding a good lab: - Check the Yellow Pages or an Internet listing for photo labs in your area. Look for words like "custom" or "professional" ... I'll bet WalMart won't pop up! - If possible, ask local professional photographers - or serious amateurs - for recommendations. - Is there a full-fledged camera store nearby (but NOT the camera department of a drug store or WalMart)? Ask for suggestions. - Camera clubs or photo galleries are also good sources of information. - In a good custom or professional lab, by the way, the work is done on-site ... as opposed to being sent off to another location. That way - if necessary - you can talk to the actual person who will be doing the developing, printing, scanning, etc. - Most (all?) pro or custom labs nowadays work with digital ... of course, you might want to verify ahead of time that the lab can perform the tasks you want. Another resource is an excellent BetterPhoto article: "Working with Mail-Order Photo Labs." Here's the direct link: http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/workingwithmolabs.php Hope this helps, Julie, and good luck! PS: If you (or anyone else who might be interested) live in Northern California, check out Cali-Color in Sacramento, or the New Lab in San Francisco, which also handles mail-order - www.newlab.com.
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Julie L. Curiel |
Thanks so much for your suggestions Kerry! I'll check into some of those options. My problem is I live in the middle of no-where KS where there is no local camera store, camera club, well, you get the idea. I'll definately check into some mail order photolabs to do my work.
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Robert Wagner |
When you are in the middle of nowhere sometimes you have to be inovative when you print your pictures. I have found that printing large prints on an inkjet printer using watercolor paper gives the print a pleasing soft look. It also covers up the printer and photograph short comings. I have been able to print a 16 x 20 print from a 1.2mpx file and have people tell me that it looks like a painting.
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Julie L. Curiel |
Robert- what kind of printer do you use? I am going to invest in one here eventually so I can print on my own. I've just been trying to decide which printer is right for me. Where do you get your paper from also? Thanks for the suggestions.
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Roseann E. Dreasher |
Hi Julie, I work for Precision Camera in Austin, Texas www.precision-camera.com and we have a fabulous photo lab on site which you can download your photos with our fotowire service and have the images mailed to you. I think you will find that the quality you get with us is exceptional. I hope this helps! Roseann
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Debora S. Miller |
do you have a local college nearby - it is amazing the abilities of young college students nowadays, and alot of them have serious equipment at home due to disposable income from living with mommy and daddy. a friend of mine uses a student, saves alot of time (no waiting) and money (charges underrate) also the enthusiasm is amazing, and the quality is first rate. good luck, debora
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Julie L. Curiel |
Debora- great suggestion. I'll have to check at K-State which is an hour away but do-able. Hadn't thought of that route.
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Debora S. Miller |
hi, call ahead and talk to the professor or head of the department, they always recommend the talented students. and the college might be an hour away, but that student might live nearby with all that equipment in their bedroom. I have a student do all my desktop publishing-piece of cake for her, drudgery for me. try bartering also - money might not be an interest but there is always something that will get them. for her I do b&w of whatever she wants, christmas photos of her and her dog, etc. etc. great trade off and keeps my costs at a minimum. debora
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Reid S. Mason |
Julie, Most of the high end photo labs offer this type of service. I've been doing some research myself, and checked into a place called Full Color. They offer a range of services, complete with ftp capability for getting your files to them. Check them out at www.fullcolor.com. Reid
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Vander |
As I know that photographic prints matter when you are making a professional painting or snapping a picture. http://www.photolab.ca Whenever I start making a picture then first I check for the prints which I am using.
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